Rahane, Gill showed what should be done: McGrath tells Australian batsmen

Least impressed by Australian batsmen's "timid" approach in ongoing Test series against India, pace legend Glenn McGrath has asked m to take a leaf out of Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill's book.

McGrath rued approach taken by Australian batsman so far in four-match series, which is locked at 1-1 at moment.

"I think, probably majority with India, way y bowled, a little bit with just mindset of Australian batsmen, as I mentioned before, y were timid," McGrath said during a conference call organised by official broadcasters Sony.

"y are looking to survive rar than to go re and score runs and dominate bowlers." pacer, who dominated batsmen with pinpoint accuracy and sharpness in his heydays, added, "When you have got batsmen looking to survive on pitches that are just offering a little bit to bowlers, n it is only a matter of time before y get out.

"I think, you look at way (Ajinkya) Rahane batted, (Shubhman) Gill batted, Rishabh Pant, (Ravindra) Jadeja, those guys y showed what should be done." McGrath lavished praise on Indian bowlers and called himself a "big fan" of Jasprit Bumrah.

"You can't take anything away from Indian bowlers. way Jasprit Bumrah has bowled this series has been amazing. I am a big fan of Bumrah, I have spoken to him a few times and I liked way he thinks and way he goes about it." McGrath praised Indian attack for lengths y have hit.

"He (Bumrah) quite enjoys bowling in Australian conditions. A Mohammed Siraj coming in, I just think y bowled very good lengths, sometimes you can get carried away with bounce in Australia and bowl too short, but y have bowled good lengths," he added.

He was also effusive in his praise for senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, describing his performance as exceptional.

"Ravi Ashwin, way he has bowled. He always bowls well in first Test and n something seems goes missing rest of series, sometimes, but way he bowled in Melbourne was exceptional as well," said bowler, who has 563 Test wickets to his credit.

In absence of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma, McGrath said onus will be on Bumrah and Ashwin in remainder of four-match series.

"You have got a couple of young guys coming in, Siraj playing his second Test, (Navdeep) Saini playing his first, so a lot will rest on Jasprit Bumrah, maybe Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja, y are all very experienced," he said.

He said it remains to be seen how newcomers Siraj and Saini stand up to pressure situations.

"Once pressure of Test cricket comes, if Australia are doing well, that's when you need experience, and that's where experience will come into play and wher that will impact se young bowlers a little bit more.

"Australian batting line-up have ability to put pressure back on bowlers and that is going to be big test. If Australian batsmen do put pressure how do Siraj, Saini stand up, that is big question.

"But I'm looking forward to two exciting bowlers, who have a big impact in shorter version, IPL probably more so," he said.

McGrath also said that both teams will be lifted by inclusion of star openers Rohit Sharma and David Warner in third Test.

"I think it is a big lift for both sides. With Rohit coming in with his experience, he is quite an aggressive batsman as well, very similar to David Warner" India-Australia match at Sydney Cricket Ground will be 13th Pink Test and McGrath said both teams will be donating ir Baggy Pink caps.

"So, here we are again... number 13. Things are a little bit different with COVID and crowd restrictions and what you can do at ground, but looking forward to it.

"Both teams will be donating ir Baggy Pink caps and y will sign m, y will go for auction," he signed off. 

(Im credits: PTI)